Admirals Set to Play Final Three Home Games of 2008-09 This Week

NORFOLK, VA – The Norfolk Admirals will close out the home portion of the 2008-09 schedule with three contests at Scope this week before playing their final contest against the Philadelphia Phantoms on Sunday night.

The Admirals will host the Hershey Bears Wednesday and the Philadelphia Phantoms Friday and Saturday before visiting Philadelphia Sunday.

EAST DIVISION STANDINGSAt 29-36-3-5 (66 points), the Admirals are in seventh place in the East Division. The Hershey Bears (47-20-1-6, 101 points) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (46-24-2-2, 96 points) have both clinched playoff spots with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (44-23-3-5, 96 points) in close pursuit. The fourth and final playoff spot is currently occupied by the Binghamton Senators (39-27-5-3, 86 points), but the Philadelphia Phantoms (38-29-2-4, 82 points) are only four points behind with a game in hand. The Albany River Rats (31-34-3-4, 69 points) occupy the sixth spot in the East. Click here for the complete, up-to-the-minute AHL standings.

One of the best rivalries in the East Division will come to an end this week, as Norfolk and Philadelphia will square off for the final three times this week. The Admirals will welcome the Philadelphia Phantoms to Scope for the final two times this Friday and Saturday before visiting the Wachovia Spectrum for the last time on Sunday.

Sunday’s game will be the 86th and final all-time regular season meeting between Norfolk and Philadelphia. The Admirals have only played Hershey more (88 games after this season).

Norfolk enters the weekend with a 43-31-2-5-2 all-time record against the Phantoms, including a 22-15-1-1-2 record when playing at Norfolk Scope Arena and a 21-16-1-4-0 record when playing in Philadelphia.

Norfolk and Philadelphia met in the Calder Cup Playoffs twice. The Phantoms won the 2004 and 2005 East Division Semifinals over the Admirals in six games.

SPECIAL DISCOUNTED TICKET OFFERS FOR FRIDAY NIGHT’S GAMEThe Norfolk Admirals will have two special ticket offers for their game on Friday night against the Philadelphia Phantoms. Those who attend the Bank of the Commonwealth Classic baseball game at Harbor Park earlier in the day may present their ticket stubs after the game at the Scope Box Office and receive a free ticket for the Admirals game that night with the purchase of a full-priced ticket. For more details, please click here.

If you aren’t attending the Bank of the Commonwealth Classic, don’t worry – we have you covered. You can receive $10 Red Level Tickets for Friday’s game by calling Admirals Director of Media Relations Keith Phillips at (757) 640-1212 ext. 12 before 12:00 noon on Friday. There is no minimum or maximum amount of tickets to purchase. You may also upgrade to Gold Level Seats for just $3 more per ticket. For more details, please click here. Tell your friends!

ZINGONI NAMED ADMIRALS’ AMERICAN SPECIALTY/AHL MAN OF THE YEARThe Norfolk Admirals are proud to announce that forward Pete Zingoni has been named the team’s winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Hampton Roads community during the 2008-09 season. Zingoni is now one of 29 finalists for the AHL’s 2008-09 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the overall American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year.

Throughout the season, Zingoni has focused his time and energy on children – striving to be a good role model and positive influence to our area’s youth. With a natural ability to relate to children, Zingoni devoted his off-ice time to promoting literacy, good sportsmanship and education. Zingoni visited schools throughout Hampton Roads and used the sport of hockey to teach geography, math, science and healthy lifestyle choices.

In recognition of his efforts, Zingoni will be presented with an etched crystal trophy during an on-ice presentation prior to an upcoming Admirals home game. To read more about Zingoni’s community efforts, please click here.

PARKING AVAILABLE AT NORFOLK PLAZA HOTELA significant amount of parking spaces (based on availability) will be made available for Admirals games this season at the Norfolk Plaza Hotel (formerly the Norfolk Radisson Hotel). Parking spots will be opened to Admirals fans for $5 per game. The Norfolk Plaza Hotel is located immediately across Brambleton Avenue from Norfolk Scope Arena. Fans who would like to take advantage of this opportunity are asked to enter the Brambleton Avenue parking entrance. A sign will be posted at that entrance.

Please note that there are several events taking place at Chrysler Hall this week at the same time as Admirals games. This may lead to increased parking congestion.

– Take advantage of the final Family Four Pack Night of the 2008-09 season this Wednesday night. Family Fun Packs offer four Red Level tickets, four hot dogs, four popcorns and four sodas for just $48 – that’s a savings of $37! Family Fun Packs are available at the Scope Box Office and online at ticketmaster.com. Click here to purchase a Family Fun Pack for April 1.

Student Rush Night – Take advantage of the final Student Rush Night of the 2008-09 season this Wednesday night. High school and college students with a valid school ID can get $8 White Level tickets only at the Scope Box Office after 2:00 p.m. on the day of the game.

Fan Appreciation Night – The Admirals will close out the home portion of the 2008-09 season by thanking the most important members of the team – the fans – with Fan Appreciation Night. Come out for a fun night of hockey and you may leave with exciting prizes!

THIS WEEK ON THE ADMIRALS HOURTune in to the Admirals Hour on Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1310 WGH-AM. “The Voice of the Admirals” Pete Michaud will be joined in the studio by Admirals Head Coach Darren Rumble and Assistant Coach Alan May. If you have a question for the show, please call (757) 497-1310 during the show or email keith@norfolkadmirals.com prior to 2:00 on Thursday afternoon.

ADMIRALS STREAKS AND TRENDS

Zenon Konopka, Points in 13 of his last 17 games (5G, 13A since 02/21 vs. BNG)

Justin Keller, Points in three of his last four games (1G, 2A since 03/18 vs. BNG)

The Admirals begin the 1997 Kelly Cup playoffs with a 4-3 triple-overtime victory at Scope against the Roanoke Express. Alain Savage nets the game-winning goal. Alexei Krivchenkov, Dominic Maltais and Rick Kowalsky also score for Hampton Roads. Darryl Paquette makes 39 saves for the win, although his ECHL record-setting run of 236:03 without allowing a goal ends. Hampton Roads musters 68 shots in the game and the clubs together total 110 shots on net.

April 3, 2002 … Admirals 3 vs. Hershey Bears 1

In a battle of the AHL’s two hottest teams, the Admirals topple the Hershey Bears 3-1 at Scope. Norfolk wins for the ninth time in ten games, while Hershey sees its ten-game winning streak, 13-game unbeaten streak, eight-game road win streak and 12-game road unbeaten run also fall by the wayside. Mike Peluso strikes twice and Ajay Baines adds a single tally. In a battle between two of the AHL’s top netminders, Michael Leighton stops 23 of 24 shots for Norfolk while Philippe Sauve stops 27 of 30 shots for Hershey.

April 4, 1998 … Admirals 4 vs. Peoria Rivermen 3 – OT

Rod Taylor’s dramatic slap shot 2:48 into overtime lifts the Admirals to a 4-3 win over the Peoria Rivermen and a three-game sweep of the Northern Conference champs in their first round playoff series. Rob Bonneau scored twice in regulation and Dan Ceman also lit the lamp. Sebastien Charpentier made 21 saves for his third playoff win. Following his game-winner, Taylor stood atop the Peoria goal and waved his stick to celebrate the victory.

April 5, 2008 … Admirals 5 vs. Albany River Rats 2

Sparked by two goals from Paul Szczechura, a three-goal outburst in the final period and an emotional, season-high crowd of 6,627, the Admirals roll past the Albany River Rats 5-2 in Norfolk’s 2007-08 home finale. Brandon Segal, Bracken Kearns and Justin Keller also score for the Admirals. Marc Denis continues his solid late-season play for the win in net by stopping 27 of 29 shots, while All-Star goaltender Michael Leighton 27 saves on 31 shots takes the loss against his former club.

TICKETSDon’t miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2009-10 season tickets today. Packages are on sale now with special monthly rates available. For more details, please visit norfolkadmirals.com or call (757) 640-1212.

To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visit any Ticketmaster outlet, call Ticketmaster at (757) 671-8100 or visit Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com. Stop by the Admirals’ Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime!

ON THE RADIO/INTERNETAll games are broadcast on ESPN Radio 1310 WGH-AM. The games are also cybercast at SportsJuice.com. Go to SportsJuice.com, or click on the link at norfolkadmirals.com. Broadcasts begin 15 minutes prior to game time.

Games are also viewable through the Internet on a pay-per-view basis through AHL Live. Visit norfolkadmirals.com and click the AHL Live banner on the left side of the site to view all Admirals’ home and away games.